Data shows that a college degree correlates directly to your salary range—and the relationship between compensation and education level is becoming even more prominent.  Today, employers have increasingly used diplomas and degrees as a way to screen applicants.  Once you’ve landed the job you want, your salary will reflect your credentials.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people who have their bachelor’s degrees have an average salary of $51,206 per year, while those who have just a high school degree average $27,915 per year. That’s a difference of about $24,000 per year, and about $1 million over a lifetime. People who have their Master’s degrees make an average of $74,602 per year, which is a difference of almost $47,000 per year from those with only a high school diploma. By getting your online education degree, you could earn more than you ever imagined.

Learn more about the degrees and programs available.

Are you considering beginning or continuing your education, but your concerned about financial aid an student loans?  Here’s some advice every student should know:

When applying for student loans there are several things to keep in mind.

• Understand the type of aid offered. This means, you should know the difference between loans and grants (free money). If at all possible, steer clear of loan packages with more than 50% loans. Keep in mind that work study does not go directly towards the tuition bill.
• Know your total debt. You can expect to pay an additional $2,000 to $3,000 for each loan you take out. Multiply this by the four or five years you will be in school.
• Always accept all federal loans offered before resorting to private loans. Private loans have much higher interest rates, shorter grace periods, and even shorter repayment periods.
• Remember that not all loans are created equal. Student loans have additional fees and different interest rates.

Learn more about the financial aid available for your program of interest.

As school begins for many and many of you consider starting school, below are some free web tools that every students should use.

Tools for taking notes:

1. NoteMesh: This site allows students who are in the same classes to share notes and collaborate easily with one another.
2. Notely: Notely can help you get all your school stuff together, with schedules, calendars, note-taking tools and even a homework planner.
3. Notesake: Organize all of your notes with this online application.
4. Evernote: With this app you can take your notes with you anywhere, even sync them up with your cell phone for notes on the go.
5. MyStickies: If you’re browsing the web you can leave little notes for yourself with this helpful sticky app.
6. NoteCentric: This social networking site lets users put up and share their notes from classes at school.
7. University Notes: Check out this social site to share and read notes from courses at your school and those around the nation.
8. UberNote: Not only can you take notes with this tool but add tasks into them as well.
9. Webnote: This online tool is a pretty basic way to take notes online.
10. ShareNotes: Use this site to find notes and share your own for study purposes.

These tools can help you study better:

1. Cramster: This site is a great place to seek out answers to homework questions you need help with, find practice exams and a whole lot more.
2. CollegeRuled: Here you can keep up with your courses, create class schedules and maintain to-do lists so you can remember your important assignments.
3. Quizlet: Use this tool to make your own quizzes to study or find those that others have made.
4. Mathway: Want to check your math skills to make sure you’re on the right track? This tool can help.
5. CollegeCram: This site is all about social learning and is a great place to find other students to study with.
6. Graphing Calculator: You don’t need to invest in an expensive graphing calculator– just use this free online version instead.

Learn more about the education opportunities, tools and programs available.

Today’s working student are enrolling in online colleges and university to complete associate, bachelor’s and master’s programs and degrees.   Working adults are enjoying the convenience of  taking their courses online and/or at campus located throughout the United States.   These online colleges and universities allow working students the flexibility to take only online courses,  course at only campus locations or a combination of both.  These programs and degrees are accredited and are being viewed by employers as equivalent or better than traditional education institutions.  This new flexibility allows working students to achieve their career goals through educational programs that were unavailable years ago.

Learn more about schools  that offer online and campus programs with flexible scheduling that fits your schedule.

A strong sense of compassion and a sense of duty are what’s needed to succeed in the world of health care.  Online colleges offer everything you need to get started in this field.   Many online colleges and universities offer programs to earn medical assisting or medical insurance billing training and certification.    For many students,  a career in medical billing is lucrative with salaries ranging from $35,999 and $44,562.  For students interested in careers in medical assistance, salaries begin at $28,000 annually.

As the population of the United States continues to age, the need for qualified medical and health care professionals will continue to rise.  Now is a great time to invest in programs and certifications that focus on the medical and health care professions.

Learn more about nursing and healthcare careers and educational paths.

As the economy continues to effect jobs and unemployment, there are still jobs that are growing and can earn you great salaries.  The average salaries of these Top 10 Jobs range from $29,000 annually to approximately $86,000 per year and six of them are in health care.

1. Nursing- The need for nurses is expected to grow considerably as our population continues to age. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, and nursing homes will need nurses with a bachelor’s degree or an associates degree from an approved nursing program. There are 2.5 million nurses in the US and their average annual salary was over $62,000 in 2007.

2.   Physical Therapy Assistant- After a personal or work related injury or during a       long-term chronic condition of arthritis and other joint problems, people require the services of qualified Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants. Physical Therapy Assistant has an average salary of over $44,000 according to the US Department of Labor.

3.    Dental Hygienist- Dental hygienists have begun to take on more of the dentist’s duties in the latter part of the 20thcentury.  This was a departure from the days in which a dentist did all the work himself/herself in a private practice. Qualified hygienists can perform dental cleanings, X-rays, and other treatment and prevention measures. A vocational school, community college, university, or online dental hygiene class allows professionals to enter a career set to grow over 30% in the next decade, as national populations increase in size. In 2007, hygienists earned an average of about $65,000 or more per year.

4.    Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor- Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are growing in major metropolitan areas that have an ongoing program of revitalization in the urban or downtown districts. Counselors are needed to help individuals and families to find living wage jobs and the support services they need in order to succeed in becoming – or staying – independent and contributing member citizens of their towns.
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Are you thinking about going back to school, but your aren’t sure if your schedule and lifestyle will allow it?  Today’s working student are enrolling in online colleges and university to complete associate, bachelor’s and master’s programs and degrees.   Working adults are enjoying the convenience of  taking their courses online and/or at campus located throughout the United States.

These online colleges and universities allow working students the flexibility to take only online courses,  course at only campus locations or a combination of both.  These programs and degrees are accredited and are being viewed by employers as equivalent or better than traditional education institutions.  This new flexibility allows working students to achieve their career goals through educational programs that were unavailable years ago.

Learn more about schools that offer programs flexibility to fit any schedule and/or need.

As you start a new college, a new program or a new course, your initial steps can make he difference between success and failure.   Here’s 5 steps to make sure your educational experience is the best it can be.

1.  Take charge: No one is looking over your shoulder.  Be sure to take charge of your education, whether it’s one call or an entire degree program.  You have to look out for what’s best for you.

2.  Go to class:  Many students make the mistake of missing classes.  In a class that meets 35 times in a semester, missing a weeks worth of class represents missing 8% of the materials and lectures.

3. Grade your professor: At the first couple of meetings, make a careful assessment about whether the professor teaching your course is one you can actually learn from. Is he is she clear and organized? Can you make sense of what’s being taught? If not, drop the course (or courses) a.s.a.p. If you don’t like the teacher on day one, things will get really ugly by day 40.

4.  Be sure you are in the right class:  Some classes—especially in math, sciences, and foreign languages—are taught at many different levels. Be sure you haven’t signed up for a class that’s either too hard or too easy for you, given your prior training and abilities. Obvious? Not always. Placement tests and course numbers aren’t always right, so trust your own sense of the course. Avert disaster—make changes on week one.

5. Scrutinize the  syllabus: Start figuring out the plot of the course—how it’s structured and the basic point of it. In some courses, the syllabus contains important clues about what will be on the tests, buried in the statement of the course’s goal and objectives. Be alert to these tip-offs about what the professor thinks is most important.

College courses, programs and degree are valuable try to make the most of them–they affect you!  Learn more about colleges and university programs available.

Are you considering starting a degree or program at a college or university, but you are not sure where to start.  Follow these 10 tips to choosing the right college or university for you:

1. Investigate and request information from several online colleges
2. Don’t eliminate an online college or university just because you don’t recognize the name
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions-put together a list of questions before talking with admissions representatives.
4. Don’t rule out a college immediately because of cost. Financial aid, credit for life experience, scholarships, and tuition payment plans may make a college or university far more affordable and within your reach.
5. Don’t “blow off” or ignore any admissions representatives who may call you. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about their online degree programs.
6. Take good notes when you read college brochures and speak with admissions representatives.
7. Do not be discouraged or intimidated by financial aid forms. Most online colleges have staff members who will be happy to help you.
8. Do not settle on the first seemingly appropriate online degree program you discover. For instance, a general business program might not serve you as well as a program with a focus in accounting, marketing, management, etc. Also, a more general, broadly based degree program in business may better meet your needs.
9. Don’t keep your interest in continuing your education a secret. Talk to friends, family members, and colleagues so they can share their experiences and offer you important encouragement and support.
10. Don’t be intimidated by returning to school. The fact is, if you are motivated, and if you have the support of your closest family members and friends, your chances of achieving your degree and career goals are very high.

Learn more about the educational programs available today.

With so many online degree programs available, the decision of which school to choose can be a daunting task. Keeping that in mind, here’s a handy checklist of things to look for in an online university or college.
Step 1: What Do You Want to Study?

___ What subjects interest you?

___ What salary range are you looking for upon graduation? Will a degree in your subject(s) of interest earn you that amount?

___ Research what professions are open to graduates with a degree in your subject(s) of interest.

___ If you’re going to school in collaboration with your current job, make sure you choose a subject that will both benefit your position and satisfy any company requirements.

Step 2: Make a List of Schools

___ See which schools offer online degrees in your field of study.

___ Ask someone working in your field of interest what school they attended.
Step 3: Research the Schools

___ Is it a general education school, or does it specialize in one area? You may be more comfortable taking nursing courses from a school that specializes in medical fields, for instance.

___ What is the cost of tuition? Are there any additional fees?

___ What sort of financial aid is available?

___ How many students are enrolled in the school? Does the school offer virtual job “library” or other job placement assistance?

___ Does the school operate on a semester schedule, quarterly or otherwise? If you miss out on enrolling in a class, do you have to wait until the next semester/quarter?

___ If you are entering with credits from another institution, what is the school’s transfer policy? Make sure you get credit for the work you’ve done elsewhere. Also, check to see how your credits will be applied. Will they count towards your required courses, or will they be considered electives?

___ Does the school offer credit for real-life work experience? Some do, and you could be throwing away credits by not inquiring.

___ What technology is required to take classes online?

___ How easy is it to get your questions answered? Can you get a response quickly from the appropriate person? Is there direct assistance available, from either a help desk, counselors or faculty members? Is help available for only specific hours? Is there a toll-free phone number or online chat available?
Step 4: Research the Program

___ How long does it take to earn a degree? Are you allowed to work at your own pace  either faster or slower than the standard? Is there a limit on how long you’re allowed to work towards your diploma?

___ Which classes are required for a degree in your program?

___ How qualified are the teachers in your program? Do they have at least a Master’s degree? Ideally, they might even hold a Ph.D.

___ Will you be required to purchase many textbooks, or is most of the material available online? Textbooks can add a significant cost to your education.

___ What multimedia elements are involved in your coursework?

Learn more about the online programs available.